NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series stars Ron Capps, Cory McClenathan and Gary Scelzi will battle for supremacy on Infineon Raceway’s lightning-quick kart track on Saturday, March 3, 2007, and 50 lucky race fans are invited to join them.
Infineon Raceway will host the 5th annual NHRA Tour de Charity on its 16-turn, three-quarter mile kart track on Saturday, March 3, from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Pacific). The first 50 fans who register will have a reserved seat in the action-packed day. Cost is $325 and includes a day of karting with the drivers, autographs, lunch and the chance to compete in a 10-lap timed race for a grand prize. All proceeds benefit Speedway Children’s Charities, which serves youth organizations in Sonoma County.
The event has raised more than $41,000 over the last four years, and organizers hope to generate $13,000 at this year’s Tour de Charity.
Here’s the NHRA driver lineup for the day:
- Ron Capps (Brut Dodge Charger Funny Car): 1997 NHRA Funny Car winner at Infineon Raceway; placed third in 2006 Funny Car points.
- Cory McClenathan (Carrier Boyz FRAM Boost Top Fuel Dragster): Finished ninth in 2006 Top Fuel points; 1997 NHRA Top Fuel winner at Infineon Raceway.
- Gary Scelzi (Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger Funny Car): 2005 NHRA Funny Car Champion; two-time Funny Car winner at Infineon Raceway (2003, 2005).
“I’ve come to this event three of the four years and it keeps getting better and better,” Capps said. “We’re supporting a great cause with Speedway Children’s Charities, but at the same time we get to go karting all day and hang out with the fans. It’s been great.”
The Jim Russell Racing Schools, which operates the karting center, will provide the karts, race suits, classroom instruction and on-track pointers for all competitors. There will be giveaways during the day, and the top 10 qualifiers (race fans) will compete in a 10-lap timed race at the end of day for the NHRA Experience. This package includes: two tickets to the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals (July 27-29) and a meet-and-greet with a top star on the NHRA circuit. Piloti will also graciously donate a certificate for a pair of driving shoes to the event for a second straight year.
“This was a blast,” said Ken Caplan, from San Jose, who participated in 2006. “I’m really into NHRA drag racing, and all forms of racing, so to meet these drivers and get a day of karting was more than I could have asked for. It’s really unbelievable just how nice the NHRA drivers are in person. I’ll be back for this every year.”
The NHRA drivers will also compete in a 10-lap timed race at the end of the day for King of the Track bragging rights. The winners the first four years of this highly-competitive race have been Capps (2003, 2005, 2006) and McClenathan (2004). To reserve your seat in the NHRA Tour de Charity, call (707) 933-3950, (800) 870-RACE, or e-mail [email protected].
